Provost Gary Shapiro to resign following the 2012-13 academic year, return to classroom

Central Michigan University Provost Gary Shapiro plans to resign following the 2012-13 academic year, according to a release sent out by the university Tuesday morning.

Shapiro, who came to CMU in 1978, will return to teaching in 2014. He plans to help lead the university's search for a replacement.

"Perhaps the greatest factor in my decision, however, is the knowledge we now have an academic leadership team that will take CMU to heights we’re just beginning to understand," Shapiro said in a letter issued to the university community.